Maple tree named `Warrenred`

ABSTRACT

A novel Acer truncatum tree characterized by its rapid rate of growth, its straight trunk, branches of one year trees which are extremely symmetrical and a brilliant red to greyed purple autumn color.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of maple tree of the species botanically known as Acer truncatum. I have named my new variety "Warrenred".

I discovered my new variety as a seedling mutation or chance seedling of unknown parentage in a group of Acer truncatum seedlings being grown in a cultivated area of the J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. Nursery in Boring, Oreg. My attention was first directed to the new plant because of its typically large leaves. I further observed the brilliant red fall color of this tree. Further observation of this plant convinced me that it was quite unusual and distinct from other Acer truncatum seedlings. Although the parentage of my new variety of tree is uncertain, its features lead me to suspect that Acer platanoides is the pollen parent.

Close observations of the new seedling and continued observations of progeny thereof, subsequently asexually propagated under my direction by budding onto Acer platanoides rootstock (with which it is quite compatible) as well as by rooting softwood cuttings, has confirmed that the unique characteristics of my new variety is a result of a seedling variation. I am therefore convinced that my new tree represents a new and improved variety of Acer truncatum, as particularly evidenced by the following unique combination of characteristics, which have proven firmly fixed, are outstanding therein, and which distinguish it from all other varieties of this species:

1. Rapid rate of growth;

2. A unique habit of growth resulting in a very straight trunk and a heavy, symmetrical branch structure of one year old trees;

3. In comparison to standard Acer truncatum trees, a large leaf, a greater number of small lobes per leaf, larger stem thickness, a longer internode length, improved branching in the nursery, and a brighter shade of fall color; and

4. Dormant buds which are a reddish-brown.

The accompanying photographs depict the color of the foliage of my new variety as nearly true as is reasonably possible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

FIG. 1 is a color photograph of a two year old tree of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph of a group of one year old trees of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph of leaves of the tree of the present invention showing their autumn colors.

One of the primary distinguishing features of my new tree over other trees of this species is its rate and habit of growth. From a comparison of the characteristics of a number of trees of my new variety with those of both the standard Acer truncatum and Acer platanoides varieties growing under comparable conditions in the J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. Nursery, I have observed that my new variety at one year has grown much larger than Acer truncatum trees but smaller than Acer platanoides trees. However, one year trees of my new variety have far more branches which are longer than 6 inches than either the Acer truncatum or Acer platanoides varieties. Table I below sets forth the results of a comparison of, and averaging measurements of, characteristsics of 10 one year old trees and my new variety, ten Acer truncatum seedling trees and 10 Acer platanoides trees.

                  TABLE I                                                          ______________________________________                                         1 YEAR NURSERY TREES                                                                                  Seedling                                                Characteristic                                                                               New      Acer                                                    platanoides   Variety  truncatum    Acer                                       ______________________________________                                         Height:       208 cm   144 cm       259 cm                                     Number of     15.2     0            3.5                                        branches longer                                                                than 6 inches:                                                                 Branches per  7.3      0            1.35                                       meter of height:                                                               Length of unbranched                                                                         66 cm    No branches  183 cm                                     leader above top                                                               branch                                                                         ______________________________________                                    

A comparison of leaves of my new variety with leaves of seedling Acer truncatum trees and of Acer platanoides trees has revealed that leaves of my new variety are much larger and have more pointed sublobes per leaf than the leaves of seedling Acer truncatum trees, but are smaller and have fewer sublobes per leaf than Acer platanoides trees. Also, the leaves of my new variety have smoother margins and surface textures and a higher gloss than those of Acer platanoides trees, but are less glossy than leaves of standard Acer truncatum trees.

A comparison of these leaf characteristics, with sizes and number of lobes being averages, between leaves of my new variety, those of standard Acer truncatum trees and those of Acer platanoides trees is set forth below in Table II.

                  TABLE II                                                         ______________________________________                                                New       A. truncatum                                                                               A. platanoides                                    ______________________________________                                         Leaf     14.0 cm     8.0 cm      15.0 cm                                       Width                                                                          Leaf     18.2 cm     9.5 cm      21.0 cm                                       Length                                                                         Pointed  10.0        3.7         19.0                                          sublobes                                                                       per leaf:                                                                      Leaf     Smooth to   Smooth      Wavy                                          Margin:  slightly wavy                                                         Surface  Smooth      Smooth      Wrinkled                                      Texture:                                                                       Leaf     Moderately  Glossy      Dull                                          Surface  glossy                                                                Sheen:                                                                         Leaf     Moderate    Slight in main                                                                             Moderate in                                   Pubescence,                                                                             in axils of palmate vein                                                                               axils of                                      Underside:                                                                              palmate veins,                                                                             vein axils only.                                                                           main and                                               little or none in       secondary                                              axils of                veins.                                                 secondary                                                                      veins.                                                                Petioles:                                                                               Slender, 65:1                                                                              Slender, 53:1                                                                              Stout, 40:1                                            length to   length to   length to                                              width ratio width ratio width ratio                                   ______________________________________                                    

In addition, the dormant buds of my new variety are greyed red (178A) becoming greyed-purple (185A) and are of a medium 4-6 mm) size in comparison to the greyed-red (178A) becoming greyed-orange (174A), small (1.5-2.0 mm) flat dormant buds of standard Acer truncatum trees and the green (143C) becoming greyed purple 183A, medium large (4-7 mm), plump buds of Acer platanoides trees. In addition, the bark of two year old trees of my new variety is brown and slightly rough. In contrast, the bark of similar age trees of standard Acer truncatum trees and Acer platanoides trees are, respectively, brown and rough; and greenish-brown and smooth. In addition, a measurement of the internode length at 30 cm below the terminal of a number of trees of my new variety reveal this length to be 7 cm on average while a comparable measurement of the internode length of standard Acer truncatum and Acer platanoides trees reveal the length to be 4 cm and 11 cm, respectively.

Trees of my new variety have a summer leaf color which is yellow/green to green (like R.H.S. 146b to R.H.S. 137a to 137b) and a brilliant red fall color (like R.H.S. 46a and 53a to greyed red 180a to greyed purple 187a). By comparison, typical Acer truncatum trees have a yellow/green summer color (like R.H.S. 144a, 146b and 147a) and a gray/purple fall color (like R.H.S. 183b to 184a and 187a). As a further comparison, Acer platanoides trees typically have a green summer color (like R.H.S. 137b and 139b) and a yellow/orange fall color (like R.H.S. 20a to 21b).

A comparison of my "Warrenred" Acer truncatum with my "Keithsform" Acer truncatum which is the subject of another patent application filed on today's date reveals that my "Warrenred" variety at one year is a shorter tree, has more branches and a shorter distance between the tip of the leader and the first branch. In addition, there are more pointed sublobes per leaf and "Warrenred" colors and defoliates earlier in the fall.

Therefore, my "Warrenred" variety is commercially marketable as a one year old branched tree.

Otherwise, so far as I have observed at this time, my new variety is generally typical of the species.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety of "Warrenred" Acer truncatum tree, with color terminology in accordance with The Royal Horticulture Society Colour Chart (hereinafter R.H.S.), published by The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

Parentage: A seedling mutation or chance seedling of unknown parentage, but which is believed to have Acer platanoides trees as the pollen parent.

Propagation: Holds to distinguishing characteristics through succeeding propagation by budding and rooting of softwood cuttings.

Location where grown and observed: J. Frank Schmidt & Son Co. Nursery in Boring, Oreg.

Tree: Rapidly growing with a very straight trunk.

Branches.--Symmetrical branch structure as a one year old tree.

Foliage:

Shape.--Palmate, five main lobes per leaf with typically about tenpointed sub-lobes per leaf.

Leaf size.--Length, typically about 18 cm; breadth, typically about 14 cm.

Margin.--Smooth to slightly wavy.

Surface texture.--Smooth.

Apex.--Acuminate.

Base.--Rounded to cordate.

Pubescence.--Underside of leaf, moderate in axils of main palmate veins, little or none in axils of secondary veins.

Leaf surface sheen.--Moderately glossy. Main veins, leaf underside: raised. Small veins, leaf underside: slightly raised.

Petioles.--Slender.

Color.--As described above and more specifically: the leaf summer color is yellow/green (like R.H.S. 147b) to green (like 137a to 137b). In the fall, the leaves turn to a red color (like red R.H.S. 46a and 53a to greyed red 180a to greyed purple 187a).

Dormant buds.--Greyed red (178A) becoming greyed purple (185A), medium size, (4-6 mm).

Bark, 2 year trunk.--Greyed-orange (like R.H.S. 165C), slightly rough.

Internode length, measured at 30 cm below terminal.--About 7 cm.

Fall changes.--Under typical Oregon conditions, initial color occurring about October 25th and peak color occurring about November 1st-5th. The leave of my new variety falling typically fall about November 15th. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Acer truncatum tree, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its rapid rate of growth, its very straight trunk, and branches of one year trees which are extremely symmetrical; and a brilliant red to greyed purple fall color. 